Is Puerto del Carmen expensive to visit?
In Puerto del Carmen, budget travelers spend $108 (€92) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $246 (€210) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $470 (€402) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Puerto del Carmen.
Puerto del Carmen is a smaller place that appeals to a wide spectrum of travelers, featuring different styles, expenditure habits, and budget ranges. Affordable hotel choices are available, but luxury hotels also cater to the more affluent clientele, along with mid-range accommodations that are perfect for families and couples.
You can find Puerto del Carmen to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Puerto del Carmen is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Adeje or Tarifa.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Puerto del Carmen Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Puerto del Carmen?
The average Puerto del Carmen trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Puerto del Carmen travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Puerto del Carmen cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
To manage your travel budget, it's important to set realistic expectations. Many people think they can visit Puerto del Carmen on a cheap budget, but most don't enjoy the limitations of a tight shoestring budget. Consider how you like to travel. Do you enjoy hostels, resorts, hotels, or vacation rentals? Do you want to dine out and explore the major attractions? These decisions will determine your budget and itinerary.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You might think you're a budget traveler, but unless you're willing to sacrifice many comforts, expect to spend a lot more than the average of $108 per day that backpackers typically manage.
Younger budget travelers sometimes stick to a shoestring budget, which usually means staying in hostel dorms, eating at budget restaurants or fast food, relying on public transportation or walking, and limiting activities to free attractions.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
If you're a family or couple enjoying a vacation, you'll probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at well-liked restaurants, and check out significant museums and attractions that charge entry fees. It's common for visitors to Puerto del Carmen to seek out the major attractions, museums, and significant landmarks. Most activities aren't free. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $246 per person, per day.
In Puerto del Carmen, you'll find a broad range of hotels and vacation rentals. If traveling with companions, you can share accommodations with a partner, friend, or your children, helping to cut costs. Families will want to look for hotels and restaurants that are kid-friendly. Seaside Los Jameos Playa is a fantastic option for families, and Hotel Las Costas is also a great pick. Explore more family and couple-oriented hotels in our hotel guide for Puerto del Carmen here.
Looking to Travel in Luxury?
If you envision a trip that covers everything with high-end amenities and top-tier service, be ready for a daily expense near $470. Enjoying nicer hotels, dining at acclaimed restaurants, participating in extravagant activities, and using taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination will require a premium budget.
Accommodation Budget in Puerto del Carmen
In Puerto del Carmen, hotel prices can be quite surprising. Higher-end hotels offer more amenities and luxury, but come at a higher price tag, especially during the peak season. Off-season prices average around $106, but in peak season, they can average around $198. Prices generally range from $66 to $392, and hostels remain the cheaper option. Booking early or traveling during the low season can save you money, and you might find special deals along the way.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Puerto del Carmen for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $230 (€196). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $115 (€98) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Puerto del Carmen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Puerto del Carmen include:
- Aqua Suites starting at $124
- Seaside Los Jameos Playa starting at $146
- Hotel Las Costas starting at $117
- Gloria Izaro Club Hotel starting at $98
- Aequora Lanzarote Suites starting at $91
By avoiding the peak season and traveling during the low or shoulder seasons, you will be able to save on accommodation and avoid heavy tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Puerto del Carmen
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $45 (€39) per person, per day, on local transportation in Puerto del Carmen. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Puerto del Carmen is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$45
€39
The island's only airport is located about 5 kilometers to the west of the town of Arrecife. Charter flights serve Lanzarote from Northern Europe. There are also scheduled flights to some of the other Canary Islands, to the Spanish mainland, and to a few international locations (notably London).
Some of the airlines serving Lanzarote (ACE) include Iberia, Air Europa, EasyJet, British Airways, Monarch, Thomsonfly, Thomas Cook, Hapag Lloid, Air Berlin, Jetair, Lauda Air, Aer Lingus, Ryanair, and Jet2. Two local companies, which mostly offer flights between the Canary Islands, are Islas Airways and Binter Canarias.
Visitors can take a taxi directly from the airport, or catch one of the buses from Arrecife which run every 20 minutes.
Be sure your hotel has hassle-free parking if you're planning to drive.
How much does it cost to go to Puerto del Carmen? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Puerto del Carmen will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Puerto del Carmen
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Puerto del Carmen can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Puerto del Carmen is $104 (€89) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$104
€89
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Puerto del Carmen is around $104 (€89) per person, with previous travelers spending from $46 to $199. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Puerto del Carmen are as follows:
- Breakfast: $10 to $31
- Lunch: $16 to $42
- Dinner: $31 to $73
- Coffee: $8
- Fast Food or Street Food: $16
The local cuisine of Lanzarote is a fare typical of the Canary Islands. Main dishes are simple, usually with some kind of meat or fish as a base, and are often accompanied by a sauce called mojo. The sauce made mainly of oil, garlic, vinegar, salt, red pepper, thyme, oregano, coriander, and several other spices. There are two varieties of mojo: rojo (or red, often served with meat) and verde (or green, often served with fish). Another kind of local dish is papas arrugadas (or "wrinkly potatoes"), which are cooked unpeeled in salt water then baked dry. Gofio is another common ingredient. Served as a side dish in a moist patty or as a base for pastries and pies, gorfio is a flour substitute milled from a variety of cereals like wheat, corn (maize), and barley, or a mixture of them. In addition to traditional fare, there are also a number of non-traditional restaurants especially in the resort areas like Puerto del Carmen. Visitors will be able to find a wide variety of dining selections including Greek, Chinese, Indian, and Mexican. Most bars and restaurants are concentrated along the entire waterfront strip of the resort.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Instead of buying drinks, carry a water bottle with you. It's also a good choice for the planet.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Puerto del Carmen
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Puerto del Carmen typically cost an average of $20 (€17) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$20
€17
Puerto del Carmen features three sandy beaches. The most popular are the golden sand beaches of Playa Grande and Playa de los Pocillos. Playa Grande is especially attractive for families with children because the waters here are usually very calm. There are also plenty of facilities which include kiosks on the sand selling refreshments, sun loungers, sunshades, rental places for watersports equipment, and changing rooms. At the eastern end of the town there is also Playa de Matagorda-a smaller, cozy beach with fewer facilities than the other two, but still a nice place to soak up the sun.
Two other nearby attractions include Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes. Both locations are a part of an underground volcanic tunnel formed by a river of lava. Today, Jameos del Agua houses a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, and concert hall, while Cueva de los Verdes is open for touring the volcanic caverns and tunnels. The Jardin de Cactus, a cactus garden designed by artist Cesar Manrique is also popular with visitors.
Beyond the sightseeing opportunities mentioned above, Puerto del Carmen is also a hub for beach activities and watersports like snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, parasailing, and canoeing amongst others. There are plenty of prospects for renting equipment and signing up for lessons of any kind, as well as excursions both on land and sea (some of which include submarine ventures as well as yacht charter and sailing). Other opportunities near the resort of Puerto del Carmen comprise a water park (with bus service from Puerto del Carmen), a Zoo (Guinate Park), an aquarium-type park, and a wild-west themed animal park called Rancho Texas.
A nice way to explore destinations in Puerto del Carmen is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Las Palmas: Freedive & Deep Snorkel Experience For Beginners for $141 details
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.